Appalled at Lack of Poll Workers

August 21, 2006

Dear Editor,

I am the Voter Service Director of the League of Women Voters of Santa Monica and an Election Assistant with the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk.

I am also a resident of Santa Monica and am appalled to see the city of Santa Monica on the top of the list of areas in the County that are critically short of pollworkers.

What surprises me is that in our politically-active City, with so many community members volunteering for various boards and commissions, we can't find civic-minded folks to ensure our elections run smoothly and efficiently. Even with our City's elections being coordinated with the State elections, ensuring that major candidates and issues are always on our ballot, Santa Monica polls end up short staffed election after election.

Yes, it's a long day. Yes, the pay isn't great. ($150 for inspectors and $105 for clerks) But if you care about the integrity of the election, please help make sure we have the necessary pollworkers to
process voters accurately and efficiently.

You must be 18, a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and a resident of Los Angeles County. To volunteer, call (562)462-2226 or (800)815-2666 option 7. Check out the website: www.lavote.net for an application and more information.

Thea Brodkin
Director of Voter Service
League of Women Voters of Santa Monica